Mercedes-Benz gives CLA facelift, more tech, electrified powertrain

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a revamped CLA-Class for the 2024 edition, coming with freshened styling, more standard equipment and electrified powertrain.

The premium German automaker is not quite ready to give the CLA a full redesign; it instead is offering a slight facelift to please fans of the compact four-door car.

A new report from autoblog.com quotes the premium automaker as saying with most of the changes coming as light touch, this will obviously offer fans a more enticing small sedan.

Exterior

The exterior changes are said to be subtle, but Mercedes adds a new three-pointed-star-studded front grille along with a revised front bumper.

The headlights are now Mercedes’ “LED High Performance” lights with a new design. Additionally, the rear is treated to standard LED taillights and a new rear diffuser design.

Three new wheel designs and a pair of blues — Hyper Blue and Starling Blue — join the options list for 2024, as well.

The big change under the hood is the addition of a new 48-volt belt-driven onboard starter generator that turns the CLA 250 into a mild hybrid.

It supplies a 13-horsepower boost at start-up and allows for coasting with the engine off. Output figures are carryover from the 2023 CLA.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produces 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and it’s mated to the same eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. You’ll be able to choose between front-wheel drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive, both of which offer a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds for the CLA 250 model.

Interior

According to Car and Driver in its review, inside the CLA, the standard display has grown, with a 10.3-inch instrument cluster and a 10.3-inch touchscreen, both running the newest MBUX infotainment system. One of the features is a choice of three display styles: the fully informative Classic, a Sporty version with a dynamic tachometer, and the minimalist Discreet setting.

More features are said to be added throughout, such as wireless Apple CarPlay/wireless Android Auto, faster USB charging with an added port and more standard equipment.

Safety

Standard safety systems have been updated as well, providing customers with parking assist and a mirror package. Mercedes has not offered any word on pricing yet but said it expects to have CLA models arriving at U.S. dealerships later in 2023.